On Saturday, Pope Francis appointed secretaries of the doctrinal and disciplinary sections of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF).
Newsroom (23/04/2022 6:11 PM Gaudium Press) On April 23, the pope named Monsignor Armando Matteo, 51, as the secretary of the doctrinal section of the CDF and Monsignor John Joseph Kennedy, 53, as the secretary of its disciplinary section.
Cardinal Luis Ladaria, 78, remains the head of the CDF with the new appointments. He has served as its prefect since July 2017.
Last month, Pope Francis reorganized the internal structure of the CDF into two sections. The implementation of the apostolic constitution, Praedicate evangelium (“Preach the Gospel”) has solidified the reform of the Roman Curia.
When the new apostolic constitution comes into force on June 5, the Vatican’s doctrinal and disciplinary office will also be known by a new name: Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Matteo will lead the CDF’s Doctrinal Section, responsible for matters “having to do with the promotion and protection of the doctrine of faith and morals,” according to the motu proprio, Fidem servare, issued by Pope Francis on February 14.
The theologian and professor at the Pontifical Urbaniana University is originally from the Archdiocese of Catanzaro-Squillace in Calabria in southern Italy. He has served as the adjunct under-secretary of the CDF since April 2021.
Matteo holds a degree in philosophy from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milan and a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
The Doctrinal Section examines curial documents before publication to ensure they are doctrinally sound. Pope Francis said it will also investigate “writings and opinions that appear problematic for the correct faith, encouraging dialogue with their authors and proposing appropriate suitable remedies.”
The section will also be responsible for issues regarding Anglican personal ordinariates.
Kennedy will head the Disciplinary Section, which deals with certain serious canonical crimes.
Originally from Dublin, Msgr. Kennedy has worked as an official within the CDF since 2003. He has served as the head of its disciplinary section since 2017 and holds a licentiate and a doctorate in canon law from the Pontifical Gregorian University.
Within the year, it is expected that Cardinal Ladaria will be replaced as prefect of the CDF. He turned 78 this week.
(Via CNA)
Compiled by Raju Hasmukh
